What you want to do in aikido?

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[locke_03]

hello well i had my first class last night and WOW i wish i had been doing this for years. at the end of class sensei asked us what we wanted to achieve in aikido, i dont know what paths are there??? is there meditation in aikido?? sensei said something about the philosophical side of aikido that really interests me. i am open to all suggestions. thanks

[Amadeus]

Meet people, have fun and learning works for me.

[locke_03]

cant go wrong with that even though last night was my first time the people there were amazing even offering me a place to stay at the dojo amazing to say the least

[Voitokas]

My goals change as I go along... right now I'm working on authenticity and natural-ness in the way that I move, having a better sense of my body and my partner's, and welcoming an attack into a pattern that I have already begun. It's great exercise, both physically and philosophically. Plus, now I'm addicted and feel restless if I have to go a whole week without practise!

[dalen7]

Ill tell you what Im interested in.
Learning more about how my body can work and flow.

An example:
At this point, I have enough reason to believe that in Aikido a 'weaker' person can take a stronger person if relaxed.

True, its hard to believe as the mind is conditioned to thinking that strength vs. strength...but in practice I have experienced that indeed the above idea does work.

My issue is naturally wanting to use strength, and my body naturally acting from that view point...so my form is not 'correct' to be able to use less energy to execute a movement.

But let no one think there is magical thinking...this is just one aspect - sure you would have to face counter attacks,etc.

However, just learning this new area of dynamics and how the body works, and what is most efficient is interesting to me.

Now - Im learning in Hungarian...and my Hungarian is on the level of asking for food and for the toilet...so it is a bit harder for me to pick up whats going on. :)

None the less, this is still intriguing for me, and I hope to be able to catch some of this on video tape and ask questions specifically about this and see what answers I get. (Practice of course to see what results I get.) :)

Seems like there are quite a few on the board here that actually already flow this way. Im not sure that it is a given for people in Aikido, however.

Peace

dAlen

[Ron Tisdale]

I think it is a given that we *think* we move this way.

Experience outside of aikido can let us see we are missing some depth there (sometimes a lot of depth). Sometimes that experience can even clue us in as to how to build a different kind of strength...how to develop a different kind of conditioning.

Best,
Ron

[locke_03]

after reading the post i think what i want to achieve is smoothness i want to appear effortless. im 6ft 175lbs and last night was my first night and i found myself trying to use my power and size to put people to the mat and that didnt work at all :D but then when my training partner simply took me off balance very slowly i was down with ease to say the least :p im still cant believe how sore i am i work out all the time but last nite i was the only one sweating. aikido is amazing